Hall of Fame

Jack Kopas was born in Lumsden, Saskatchewan and later lived in Ilderton, Ontario. Kopas was elected to the Hall of Fame in the seniors category. He became known in North American racing circles when he campaigned Super Wave, a free-for-all star of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Other top performers for Kopas during that period were pacers Shadow Star and Springfield. During the 1976-1977 campaigns he brought out the powerhouse pacing trio of Nat Lobell, Jade Prince and Super Clint - the latter two world champions and all three among the leaders in their divisions. The filly Roses Are Red followed, setting a world record while winning the 1979 Jugette. In the 1980s Kopas had Areba Areba, Armbro Bramble, Party Whip and Center Square. He also trained Armbro Evita who had lifetime earnings of $310,161. Kopas appeared in the winner's circle in 1986 with Keystone Tussle; guiding her that year to earnings of over $55,000, with divisional victories in the Hanover-Hempt Stake at Vernon Downs and the Reynolds Memorial at Buffalo Raceway. A two-time Canadian Horseman of the Year (1969 and 1976), Kopas had lifetime earnings approaching $6 million.

Jack Kopas passed away in April 2017.

Published in the Harness Racing Museum's Hall of Fame kiosks

Museum statuette sculpted by Bev Lopez (1922-2014)